Member Reviews
An Enchanting Journey of Love and Magic!
"Ravensong" by TJ Klune is a spellbinding continuation of the Green Creek series that left me both emotionally exhausted and thoroughly satisfied. Building upon the foundation laid in "Wolfsong," this novel deftly navigates the complexities of love, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds within the Bennett pack.
One of the standout features of the book is its richly characterized cast, both familiar and new. Klune's absolute gift for humor shines through in the unlikeliest of situations, making me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. The platonic and romantic relationships within the pack are beautifully depicted, showcasing the depth of love and loyalty they share.
The novel offers a deep dive into Gordo's life, artfully hopping between four distinct time periods. Through this unique narrative approach, we witness the evolution of a man burdened by a painful past and a complicated relationship with wolves and the Bennett pack. The slow revelation of Gordo's journey is both heartbreaking and joyful, culminating in a profound sense of love, forgiveness, and acceptance.
While the book excels in portraying intricate character dynamics, the story introduces several villains and complicated plot points. Though these elements enrich the story, they sometimes overshadow the central love story. Moreover the book could have benefited from being slightly shorter as there were some aspects that were repeatedly brought up. This was also the case in the first book so this is likely just the writing style of the author.
With those minor complaints aside, this was a an enjoyable read for and boy did it put me through the emotional ringer - I am definitely excited to pick up the next book in the series soon.
Thank you netgalley for the copy of this book. I will be posting this review on my storygraph account and instagram account in due course.
There is nothing that TJ Klune could write that I wouldn’t read. He knocks it out of the park with every single thing he releases. The wolves, the queer rep, everything about this series melts my heart.
I have to say when I first picked up Wolfsong (book 1 in this series) I did NOT expect to love and therefore binge this series the way I have. I remember finding it difficult to get through the first few pages/ chapters of Wolfsong because the writing style was quite different from what I am used to. Although because I was used to it from book 1 going into book 2, i B I N G E D Ravensong.
This book follows our resident grumpy/ woe-is-me main character (MC) Gordo Livingstone, who we had met in the previous book. What we know of Gordo going into this book is some insight into a difficult childhood, filled with love, loss, confusion, abandonment and then acceptance. We know Gordo absolutely adores our previous MC Ox and would do anything for him, so we know that hard shell cracks.
In enters, or should I say re-enters Mark Bennett. Second in command in the Bennett pack and the biggest pain in the ass for Gordo. We know going in from book 1 that there is a long and strenuous history between Gordo and Mark, that has resulted in extreme tensions (sexual and otherwise) and incivility that is causing strain on the pack.
And from there we go on a journey of love, hate, acceptance, fear, loss, family and packpackpack.
My favourite thing about TJ Klune's writing is his ability to make these characters so undeniably human. We have an unlikely band of witches, werewolves and humans, fighting for their family and territory, but the real shining point throughout this whole book is the easy you feel for each of these characters. Gordo's character arch within this book is staggering, it takes a hell of a lot to see and accept yourself for how others see you, especially when your father has drilled into you that everyone around you is lesser and will only use you, until you are no longer useful.
I adore them, Gordo I could have killed myself a thousand times for being so stubborn. Mark, who loves so hard and forever, and is never going to give up what is his.
Carter, Kelly, Ox, Joe, Robbie, Elizabeth, Jessie, Tanner, Chris and Rico. . . I would die for these people. D I E!
Rico made me laugh more times than I could count and I even got my husband over to read it (a non-reader, shock horror) because I was laughing so much. The human pack provided a beautiful comic relief throughout, while also reinforcing the strength of their friendship and their pack, it was fabulous.
For me, no one will compare to Ox and Joe. I am so attached to each of them and I was so glad we got to see a lot more of them that I was expecting throughout this book.
Without providing any spoilers, I really enjoyed that we got the back story of the Bennett pack and the creation of our current favourite band of misfits and outsiders. We find out about the sacrifices involved in being the Witch to the strongest Alpha within this world, we find out how no matter how much we love someone, they can still let us down and betray our trust and finally we find out the importance of forgiveness and family.
I really enjoyed the themes of brotherhood throughout this book, particularly in relation to Gordo and Thomas and how that relationship had shaped so much in the world we know and love. I enjoyed how the rest of the pack knew how much Gordo was and is loved and cherished by pack members past and present, and they continue to try and make him see how loved he is.
In this book we read what its like to be human, in a beautiful rhythmic writing style that keeps you flicking page after page without even realising how far you've came. It is a continuous climb to a crescendo that never seems to stop and when it crashes, so do our hearts.
Oh yeah and the M/M romance is slow burn, infuriating and i could have hit my head off a wall because they just needed to WISE UP!
I could not recommend this book enough
Editing notes:
Spelling mistake page 145 missing y from my
Editing error page 557 reads "orde pending" instead of or depending.
Firstly let me say I had heard of this author when I requested this book, but I was not aware that it was part of a series. I have since brought and read the first book 'Wolfsong', but I wasn't too taken with it, a bit too similar to a well known series with vampires and wolves, although I did enjoy the fact that it owned this with small side jokes.
Anyway, I did continue with the series and have grown to love the characters and their stories. I have become definitely invested in them and will certainly read more from this series and from this author. It is developing into a more grown-up series of books.
I love a werewolf book. There’s something about a wolf pack, that belonging and camaraderie and having a whole team behind you that just sounds bloomin awesome. And TJ Klune writes great packs. You want to join this team, danger and all.
Being back with Ox and Joe in their pack was like meeting up with old friends. This book is from Gordo’s perspective which I loved as he was one of my favourite characters in Wolfsong. We recant a fair part of Wolfsong from his perspective, filling in some gaps and then bringing us into post Wolfsong territory. And, of course, there’s Mark. Their “will they, won’t they” love story continues.
There’s a recurring theme as the pack are in danger again; Omega wolves and infection threaten. Yes, it’s been done before but I don’t care. I love these characters and I’m here for hearing it all. It helps that Klune can spin a bloomin terrific yarn.
As usual, Klune completely draws you in with a heartwrenching plot and characters that feel like family.
As the second part of the Green Creek series, this one launches straight into the story, but from a different character POV to the first, and gives you two timelines simultaneously. We get to see an important period of time that relates to the first book, but from Gordo's perspective, filling in parts that we didn't see at the time, and then that's written alongside the "now", as well as periods of time from Gordo's past. It can be a little jarring but it slowly gives backstory and understanding to some of the characters that weren't fully in frame during the first book.
A lot of the book has bits like that, jumping back and forth through time, and it gives you a little bit more of the truth each time. It makes it really compelling, as it draws you in and makes you desperate to know what's coming next. Naturally, it's a very heavy plot, with a lot of serious moments and strong adult themes. It's not a light read at all, and at over 560 pages, it sometimes felt a bit overwhelming as there's so much heartache and anger in the main characters.
Regardless, I loved the book, and decided I just can't wait until the new releases are done - immediately went and purchased the kindle versions of books 3 and 4. Knowing Klune, it will absolutely crush me to finish this series, but alongside the grief and rage are wonderful themes of hope, love, acceptance, and found family, and I think it's a series that will stick with me long after it's done.
Talk about brutal.
In Ravensong, we finally get to see what happened between Gordo and Mark and yup, you guessed it, it's as devastating as I thought it was going to be. All the little hints you get in Wolfsong about what went down between the witch and the wolf are laid out in painful detail in here and while this story features Klune's magical "tearing up on one page only to laugh your heart out on the next" mix is in full force here, this is certainly a darker story than Wolfsong because it deals even more with rejection, abandonment, hurt feelings and regrets that shape your life's trajectory. Both Mark and Gordo are incredible characters who have been through so much pain and, in an attempt to keep further hurt away from them, hurt each other. But don't you worry, there is a happily ever after for them...after a long, long road of pain.
There's a certain scene involving a wolf figure being returned that had me straight-up sobbing. I just wanted to curl into a ball and howl my heart out.
As always, I just want to ask TJ Klune "HOW DARE YOU" while also thanking him for giving us these amazing characters that feel so real that you can't help but wonder what they're doing after their book is finished.
I can't wait to relive Heartsong next (which is my favorite and which will break me all over again).
Five stars for Ravensong, a magical, mythical and mesmerizing tale of trauma, heartbreak and fighting for your own happily ever after.
After absolutely LOVING Wolfsong I was so excited when I got my hands on this book. Ravensong didn't disappoint, TJ Klune writes stories that pull you in and characters that you feel like you've known for years. I don't laugh out loud often while reading but this book had me snorting multiple times.
Like the first book in the series this book was a rollercoaster of emotions, twists and turns, joys and pains, it was just so flipping good. And that twist at the end!!!!
I love all the characters, I'm devastated I've finished it. I can't wait for the next book.
PackLoveMorePack
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book
This series is my newest obsession. I love the found-family trope so add in werewolves and witches and it's pretty much perfect. Wolfsong is a story of first love whilst Ravensong is a story of second chances and forgiveness. Everything feels slightly darker in this book, and slightly more cynical at times. It explores how we can hurt the ones we love and asks whether we can move past these mistakes and regrets. It's a TJ Klune book so be prepared for both happy and sad tears.
My only criticism was that I felt we didn't get to understand Mark quite as much as I would have liked. The story is from Gordo's perspective which is obviously the main reason but Joe was fleshed out more in Ox's story and I'd have liked the same thing for Mark. It was still an incredible book though and, as always, has perfect vibes.
Note - you shouldn't read this as a standalone as you'll miss out on so much worldbuilding and backstory.
Many thanks to everyone involved in approving me for this arc.
I am thoroughly sad and in disbelief this is from the same author that wrote The House in The Cerulean Sea .
I DNF this book 65% in. It felt as a long, rambling, jumbo mess of words and unnecessary flashbacks without contributing anything for the plot and characters.
This book is in the perspective of Gordo, the one character I liked in Wolfsong, and yet at 65% I did not know much about him or saw any growth. Yes, his past with his parents and The Bennetts is discussed but we don’t learn anything about him and how his magic was born, what it does, what’s his limits.
In both Wolfsong and Ravensong, we only know the horny thoughts and feelings of the characters, over and over again. The romance is not even worth it and it’s deeply problematic. Specially in Ravensong, the romance has already been built on the previous book yet it is still dragged out along these pages for a reason that I baffle to understand. I love angsty romance but this was something else.
I sadly found myself skimming a lot through the book. I am not a fan of the mated plotline and that’s when I decided to DNF.
The Omega plot did not make much sense as well.
I am unfortunately going to end my adventure with this saga with this book.
TJ Klune can do no wrong in my eyes so It was happy dance time when I saw there was another book available in the Green Creek series. I loved returning to the pack although Ravensong focuses on Gordo’s story rather than a second instalment of Ox and Joe. That said, I enjoyed learning more about Gordo and I adore him as a character. Roll on instalment 3, I’m ready and waiting for you!!!
Thanks to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, Tor and TJ Klune for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy 😊
Ravensong continues the Green Creek series following the Bennett pack of werewolves but this time from the POV of Gordo, the witch to the pack and owner of the local garage where most of the humans from Ox's pack work.In Wolfsong, the pack split into two and Gordo, Joe, Carter & Kelly went off on a hunt for revenge against the man who killed the previous alpha of the pack. The start of the book follows this journey - which was useful as in book 1 it was from the POV of Ox who was left behind while they journeyed around the country for over two years. This part was helpful to fill in some story obviously missing from the previous book, but it was such a depressing and repetitive story arc that I'm glad it didn't take up the whole book! Anyway there are of course more problems to deal with upon returning to Green Creek and these fill the majority of Ravensong - along with an epilogue which gives an insight into what happens next in the series. I vastly preferred this book to Wolfsong, I thought that Gordo was easier to understand his feelings and motives - and since he was already a part of the pack there wasn't a lot of time questioning and being confused by things.
We have a new first person narrator for this book, Gordo, with a slight overlap of the ending of the last book. I’d recalled characters and plot by the second page.
Having a new character changes the telling in that Gordo is much older than Ox with more life experience and he’s a witch. I wasn’t sure I wanted his perspective initially but I really grew to love it and him. He has a very different voice to Ox and we visit how he became a witch which is quite unique and absolutely fascinating.
The pace is fast, the plot exciting and the characters well developed. I read this virtually in one sitting - I couldn’t put it down. I did wonder whether the overlap was going to cover the whole book with just a different viewpoint, this is not the case. In fact there’s even more going on in this book. It’s so exciting.
There were moments in this that reduced me to tears: happy, sad and aww bless tears. It’s funny how deeply you end up caring for these people. I also laughed out loud - a lot!
“You know this is the point in horror movies where I usually shout at the screen for people not to go inside the house.”
“You’re a werewolf. You’re the one that’s usually waiting for the people inside the house.”
He looked offended.
Thank you to PanMacmillan and Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Slow-paced, beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, full of tenderness and hurt and love that is old and new. Ravensong is told from Gordo's point of view, taking us back to the moment when he's abandoned by his found family, and all that comes after.
I loved Wolfsong, and Ravensong is just as good. The wild love of the wolves, their faithfulness to their family, the wicked banter between old friends, their unbreakable bonds, all come together to create a story that will remain with you for a long time. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Unfortunately this series just isn't the one for me. The story is so slow to develop and I didn't enjoy following it.
I think this series has a target audience that will love this, it's just not me unfortunately. But if you enjoy more romantic fantasy books then this might be perfect for you.
Wolfsong was one of the best readings of 2022, and I was looking forward to getting transported to Green Creek again. However, I did not enjoy Ravensong as much as I thought I would. The story is more slow-paced and repetitive (drink every time Gordon says “f****** wolf!”), and I found my mind wandering at times. Nevertheless, I want to read the third book of the saga because I want to see what will happen between Robbie and Kelly.
I think TJ Klune could stomp all over my heart, and I would thank him for it, actually no I don’t think it I know it because he does it, every single book I read of his, seems to pull my heart apart, put it in the wringer more than once, and yet, somehow at the end of it, I still feel happy about the process. Because to me, I think he writes the most beautiful stories of love, the most realistic heart melting relationships, they are not perfect but completely realistic and I think that’s what makes me love them even more. This is the second book in the Green creek series., I’m so looking forward to the future books because I know he’s going to put me through the wringer many times more I can’t wait.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wolfsong was one of my unexpected highlights of last year and in this next book, we are once again introduced to the most stunning layered heart breaking romance, while also seeing how the stakes are being raised in the world around them.
I loved Wolfsong and couldn’t wait to dive back into this world!
It’s another beautiful love story; different pacing to Wolfsong but the layers and depth hinted in the first book really built up in Gordo and Mark’s story.
I really love the focus on an individual couple whilst building the wider developments of the family into the series, with stakes ever-increasing!
First of all, before we dive in. Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me an exclusive to review this book via Netgalley. They had seen my previous glowing review and thought I’d like this one and THEY WERE CORRECT.
I absolutely loved Wolfsong and when I saw that Ravensong was being rereleased I actually preordered it because I knew I was going to be just as obsessed. Which I was, and am. I’ve had the pleasure of reading the whole saga and Ravensong is just hits it on the nail for me. It is truly excellent.
Ravensong has everything. It has magic, romance, found family, sunshine vs grumpy, sarcastic protagonist who no one likes but secretly loves. It has grief, like a lot grief. It has pain, it has hopelessness. And i lapped that s*** up like there was no tomorrow. In fact, i read Ravensong in one sitting and actually couldn’t do anything else until I’ve devoured it. My other half actually gave up trying to talk to me because I just couldn’t compute.
It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me angry, it made me hurt and it made me sob. To me that is the perfect recipe for a good f****** book. Klune writes grumpy so well, and I love how he does self sabotage, I haven’t read a book of his that I haven’t liked. Yet. He’s an auto buy author for me now. And should be yours too.
Read it and thank me later.